Press Releases

01/05/08 -Fifth Annual Hospitality for Habitat

2/5/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact Information:
Rauni Kew
207-602-8500
Greg Dugal, Executive Director
Maine Innkeepers Association
207-865-6100
MAINE INNKEEPERS ASSOCIATION HELPS BUILD A BETTER MAINE WITH LAUNCH OF FIFTH ANNUAL HOSPITALITY FOR HABITAT CAMPAIGN
The state’s hospitality community teams up with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for low income families in Maine.
Freeport, ME – February 5, 2008 – Maine Innkeepers across the state will slash their rates in half this spring to support “Hospitality for Habitat”, a program which raises funds for Habitat for Humanity projects in Maine, announced Greg Dugal, Executive Director of The Maine Innkeeper’s Association. (MEIA)
This year participating MEIA members hope to entice visitor’s to their properties with half price discounted rates offered between the 1st and 23rd of May. In exchange for the deep discount guests write a check for a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity.
Sponsored by The Maine Innkeepers Association, Hospitality for Habitat was initiated in 2004 and has been successful in raising money for the Maine chapters of the national organization. It is the only Habitat for Humanity program in the state where chapters work together and share funds.
The Portland chapter used the funds they received from Hospitality for Habitat to help construct a house for a Yarmouth family, Stacey Cogswell and her two daughters. Stacey worked with a construction crew of women, part of Habitat’s National “women build” program, to complete her home which was turned over to her at a dedication on January 29th.
“Being present at the dedication and watching Stacey and her family take over their house made me realize what an enormous change in someone’s life every completed home makes,” said Matt Mattingly, MEIA board member and Innkeeper at Pine Crest Inn.
Every year The Maine Innkeepers Association has increased its donation to Hospitality for Habitat, and in 2007 thirty-one participating properties raised $6240.
“The program has been embraced by Innkeepers because it relates perfectly to the hospitality industry,” said Dugal. “The support and enthusiasm from our members for this program is inspirational and I’m sure we’ll see an increase in both participation and donations again this year.”
The Nonantum Hotel, which raised $2000 last year, is so enthusiastic about Hospitality for Habitat they set up a challenge to motivate fellow Innkeepers by pledging dinner to the entire staff of any Inn able to sell more room nights than they do during the 2008 campaign. “Giving families the ability to earn a home is such a worthy cause, we appreciate this opportunity to give back in such a different way,” said General Manager, Tina Hewitt Gordon.
To take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to a great cause while visiting some of Maine’s finest inns, hotels and B&B’s at affordable rates, visit The Maine Innkeepers web page at www.maineinns.com . Click on the Hospitality for Habitat Logo for a complete list of participating properties. Direct Links to each property will provide information on specific room rates, availability, and restrictions. Reservations should be made in advance and donations for $35 should be given to the Innkeeper, made in the form of a check, and written out to Habitat for Humanity. Every dollar donated will help build houses for deserving families in Maine.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the end of 2006, Habitat had built its 200,000th house and more than one million people were living in Habitat homes they helped build and had bought with the assistance of no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. More information can be found online at www.habitat.org.
About the Maine Innkeepers Association
The Maine Innkeepers Association, a leading provider of tourism information to both Maine’s lodging industry and its visitors, represents nearly 800 B&Bs, camps, cottages, hotels, inns, motels and resorts across Maine, and their suppliers. Through communication, education, promotion and government affairs, the Association helps its members achieve prosperity and deliver a quality product to the consumer. Maine Innkeepers Association is located in Freeport, ME and can also be found at www.maineinns.com.
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